Latest news with #WeWork
Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Times
WeWork CEO: My firefighter dad taught me how to lead
J ohn Santora eyes my tie with a look not far from envy. Dressed in a sports jacket, chinos and brown loafers, the American's eyes then move jealously across my suit. 'Ah,' he says, gesturing uncomfortably at his casual garb: 'I still can't get used to having to wear this stuff.' Santora, you see, is the lifelong suit, tie and brogues man helicoptered in to run that most relaxed of temporary-office providers, WeWork. Many of the 68-year-old's customers, as we see in its flagship venue in London's Waterloo, are the kind of thirtysomething tech bros who think wearing jeans not deliberately ripped at the knee is 'dressing up for work'. Santora feels obliged to follow, but stands out like a dad at the school disco.
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Why StartupCoE.com is Becoming a Powerhouse for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in India
In the vast digital landscape brimming with entrepreneurial content, it's rare to come across a platform that genuinely supports and educates startups with actionable knowledge, consistent support, and community-led engagement. (Center of Excellence for Startups) is emerging as that rare breed — a hub that not only educates aspiring founders but also provides them with tools, confidence, and real-world understanding to navigate the complex startup ecosystem. This post isn't sponsored. It's not written by an in-house team. It's not even by someone looking for publicity. This is simply a reflection of what is doing right — and why many believe it could play a pivotal role in transforming India's startup landscape. India is buzzing with startup energy. Every year, thousands of students, jobholders, freelancers, and small business owners want to start something of their own. The problem? There's too much noise. Too many YouTube videos promising quick hacks. Too many startup books filled with jargon. Too many mentorships that never move beyond theory. And that's where steps in with a simple mission: Make startup knowledge clear, actionable, and accessible. Unlike many platforms that are driven by buzzwords and trend-chasing, focuses on ground realities. The platform covers: Startup basics : How to come up with an idea, validate it, form a team, and build an MVP. : How to come up with an idea, validate it, form a team, and build an MVP. Business model design : Using frameworks like the Business Model Canvas to understand the 'how' behind making money. : Using frameworks like the Business Model Canvas to understand the 'how' behind making money. Funding insights : From bootstrapping to angel investors and VCs, what funding means and when it's right. : From bootstrapping to angel investors and VCs, what funding means and when it's right. Financial literacy : Understanding unit economics, CAC vs LTV, breakeven, and profitability — topics often ignored by rookie founders. : Understanding unit economics, CAC vs LTV, breakeven, and profitability — topics often ignored by rookie founders. Failure case studies : Learning from failed startups like AskMeBazaar and WeWork with insights and honest takeaways. : Learning from failed startups like AskMeBazaar and WeWork with insights and honest takeaways. Local opportunities: Tailoring advice to Indian founders — Tier 2 & 3 cities, regulatory hurdles, government schemes, and sector-specific trends. This is not another 'Top 10 Unicorn Startups' blog. It's a learning platform made by someone who has seen both sides of the coin. StartupCoE doesn't stop at written content. Their YouTube channel — Startup CoE Telugu — is where they take the conversation further, especially for the Telugu-speaking audience. Three videos a week — Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays — offer: Deep-dives into startup journeys Weekly recaps of startup news Case studies of brands, founders, failures, and rising stars Personal startup journey vlogs Breakdowns of complex ideas in regional language This effort to go regional is critical. While English content is abundant, there is a knowledge gap in local languages, and StartupCoE is bridging it with dedication and consistency. Another underrated strength of is its focus on real engagement. It's not just a blog you read and forget. Through free and paid consultations, direct founder engagement, and giveaways of startup checklists, templates, and startup courses, it tries to build an ecosystem. They've already started: Offering free consultations for early-stage founders for early-stage founders Giving away documentation templates Running Q&A sessions to help solve beginner doubts to help solve beginner doubts Building a Startup Knowledge Course that's beginner-friendly and relevant to Indian founders This human approach makes StartupCoE stand out in a space often ruled by transactional content. The platform is not just for techies or MBA grads. StartupCoE is creating content for: College students ( MBA, Degree) Housewives with home business ideas Mid-career professionals looking to pivot Failed entrepreneurs seeking a fresh start Small and medium business owners wanting to modernize Even influencers looking to build something scalable They break down startup thinking in a way anyone can understand, regardless of background. Some recent content formats and experiments that have caught attention include: Case studies on trending failures and success stories (like PocketFM, Aha OTT, and MapmyIndia) (like PocketFM, Aha OTT, and MapmyIndia) Voiceover-ready scripts with storyboards for creators with storyboards for creators Pet care, rare earth metals, and IoT as future business sectors Cultural topics like corporate ego, GenZ startups, and women-led initiatives In short, they're not afraid to try new formats, speak hard truths, or ask important questions. Perhaps the most interesting part? The brand isn't pushing a face or personality. Unlike other knowledge influencers who make it all about them, StartupCoE keeps the focus on content and community. Their founder may remain in the background, but their vision is loud and clear — build a supportive startup learning community that helps people actually start up . If the current trajectory continues, StartupCoE could: Launch a full-fledged Startup Learning Platform for Indian audiences for Indian audiences Expand into other Indian languages Create a startup incubator or accelerator program Partner with colleges for entrepreneurship bootcamps Build a private community or app for founders The opportunities are endless — because the intent is clear. India doesn't need more unicorns. It needs more prepared founders who understand their business, market, customers, and finances. That preparation doesn't come from motivational reels or 60-second Instagram wisdom. It comes from consistent, honest, relatable, and contextual education — which is exactly what is trying to provide. If you're someone who has a startup idea but doesn't know where to begin… or someone who's failed before and wants to do it better this time… StartupCoE might just be the quiet mentor you've been looking for. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Curated, Affordable Private Flights Appealing to Experience-forward Gen Z
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Flyblack has a very modern tech startup story. Its success today as one of the country's leading private aviation companies can be traced back a decade to when CEO Sami Belbase started the company out of a WeWork with a phone and an idea. "Within a year, we had over 30 brokers working under our roof, many of them twice my age and from Wall Street. From an office in the heart of SoHo to speaking at Forbes Under 30 and hosting charity events on Richard Branson's island, the journey has been anything but typical," Belbase told Newsweek. What also makes Flyblack unique is its approach to private aviation. Belbase saw major inefficiencies in the business model and looked to change that with Flyback. "I saw a huge gap: traditional private aviation was stuck in the past. Manual bookings, inaccessible pricing, and a system that left thousands of jets flying empty every day. Flyblack was built to re-engineer that system - to create a digital-first platform that finally makes flying private more efficient, sustainable, and accessible to a broader market," he said. Typically, when a customer wanted to book a private jet, they would have to call a broker and schedule a trip. Yet, if they wanted to book a yacht, villa or top-tier travel experience, they could use an app that worked like a concierge service. Flyblack App displayed on an iPhone. Flyblack App displayed on an iPhone. Flyblack "That disconnect drove us to build a platform that matched today's digital expectations. Launching our Shuttle by-the-seat flights and One Way Deals was game-changing — finally offering curated, affordable private flight options for high-spending Millennials and Gen Z who value experiences over ownership," Belbase explained. Flyblack has access to 3,000 private aircraft worldwide, with the ability to use technology to fill seats rather than require clients to rent an entire aircraft for use. The company's Shuttle service can cost as little as a first-class ticket would on a commercial flight, but without the hassle of having to experience the surroundings of a commercial airport. Its One Way Deals option helps to sell seats on planes that would otherwise be deadheaded to their next destination. Members can book flights from months in advance to same-day travel. If there's a seat, you can book and fly within 15 minutes, about the same style of operation as a traditional commercial flight. Artificial intelligence (AI) helps the company operate. "We use AI and data modeling to predict demand around events, seasons, and trends. We have compiled years of big data focused around private jet flights and corresponding demand and fulfillment. From Coachella to Aspen ski season, we can pre-position jets and crews ahead of time. Operators also benefit. Our tools help them reduce waste and boost fleet efficiency. It's luxury powered by tech- smarter for flyers, and better for business," the CEO said. Flyblack sells seats on six different types of planes: turboprop, entry-level, light, mid-size, super mid-size and heavy. When browsing flight options, the type of plane you're booking (for example, a Citation X or Learjet 45XR) is shown prior to committing to the booking. The company is the new kid on the block, but Flyblack is seeing quick success. In the first few weeks of 2025, the Flyblack app, "had thousands of downloads and hundreds of applications within weeks, all before our public release. Our sold-out shuttles to events like St. Barths and Coachella validated that we were solving a real problem: people wanted private flight access without the full buy-in," Belbase said. Those users are tech-savvy and after luxe experiences that go beyond traditional travel, a trend that extends to yachts, villas and on-the-ground cultural immersions. "Younger travelers aren't just looking for exclusivity, they want smart luxury, value-driven experiences, and sustainability baked in. Flyblack hits all those notes. They're not booking just for status; they're booking because we offer shared jet seats to Aspen with Erewhon catering and caviar-topped In-N-Out burgers - a vibe they actually relate to," he said. "This is the next evolution of status travel: access without ownership, community without compromise. And with memberships unlocking flights at up to 75 percent off standard pricing, it becomes more about lifestyle alignment than a show of wealth." Flyblack first launched in Los Angeles and has a waitlist that is "already thousands deep." Next, the company plans to expand to New York and South Florida, followed by Europe in 2026. A private plane that is part of the Flyblack fleet. A private plane that is part of the Flyblack fleet. Flyblack "We're demand-driven, if enough members want a new route, we can launch and test new routes. We listen to our audience, and this will always give us insight on growth opportunities. Our vision is clear: give members the ability to fly major routes without ever entering a commercial terminal," the CEO said. What comes after that? "Ultimately, we will launch the world's first full-fledged, private jet airline," he divulged.
Bloomberg
20-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Silicon Valley ' s ‘ Tiny Team ' Era is Here
In the era of startup ' blitzscaling,' which lasted roughly from Facebook's IPO in 2012 until WeWork's bankruptcy filing in 2023, market capitalization and total capital raised were prized metrics. The ultimate milestone was reaching 'unicorn status' — a $1 billion valuation that was often accompanied by rapid hiring. These days, bragging rights are going to entrepreneurs who keep headcount the lowest.
Mint
18-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Mutual Fund Giant Wellington Looks to Break Into Business of Buying, Selling PE Stakes
(Bloomberg) -- Wellington Management Co., which is best-known for traditional stockpicking funds, is plotting a move into the fast-growing business of buying and selling private equity stakes. The money manager is in talks with potential hires to start a so-called secondaries arm to acquire illiquid positions from other investors, according to people familiar with the matter. The firm is working with an executive recruiter and told candidates about its plans, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information isn't public. A Wellington spokeswoman declined to comment. The firm, which oversees more than $1 trillion of assets, has its roots in managing mutual funds. Like other money managers, it's increasingly drawn to the $13 trillion private markets industry as the pool of publicly traded US firms shrinks. Traditional asset managers are also grappling with outflows and squeezed margins as clients leave mutual funds for cheaper index products. That shift — and the allure of higher fees — is reshaping managers that are best known for picking stocks and bonds. Wellington, which has a large institutional client base, has been investing in private equity for at least a decade and has also backed unicorns such as WeWork and Airbnb. In recent years, it has made a more aggressive push into private markets. The Boston-based firm hired a team of four fund managers from Pacific Investment Management Co. this year to start a private real estate credit platform as it aims to grow in private credit. By entering the secondaries market, Wellington would provide relief to investors that need cash because of a prolonged lull in deal exits. President Donald Trump's tariff war has further hobbled dealmaking, forcing yield-starved pensions to offload their stakes to secondhand buyers at discounts for cash. Meanwhile, elite universities are selling private-fund stakes to shore up cash in the face of threats to their tax-exempt status. New buyers are now stepping into the arena, betting that the secondaries industry could top past records. Exchange-traded fund giant BlackRock Inc., which struck deals to buy three private-markets firms in the space of a year, said in a recent report that it predicts that the secondaries market growth will accelerate. More stories like this are available on
